Wines of the new south african books

From the perspective of most american wine drinkers, south african wine was virtually unheard of 15 years ago. South african drinks giant distell has shuttered its premium wine division libertas vineyards and estates after little more than a year. South africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Tim james wines of the new south africa provides a detailed background and guide to south african wine. John platter south african wines 9780958389884 by platter, john and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The first vines were planted in south africa around 1655 and it has been established as a wine growing country since the late 17th century. Most south african wines are varietally labelled a key factor in any buying decision. The first vintage was produced in 1659, and in the coming century south african wine, known as constantia, became one of the most popular fortified wines in europe. Indeed, written with a sure grasp of the history of south african wines and a patriotic sense of their value in the world, this book will doubtless go far to enhance the industrys growth. The ultimate guide to south african wine expertise. The three foxes are south african winemaking superstar chris mullineux along with pascal and olivier schildt. Oct 09, 2012 thanks to wines of south africa and the nederburg auction for facilitating my visit.

James brings a fresh perspective and a critical eye to a wine region about which he clearly cares deeply. South african wine has needed a book like wines of the new south africa for some time. The wine producers, the changing vineyard, the social landscape. Jul 19, 20 the result is that wines of the new south africa is as complete a reference on the south african wine scene as youre likely to find, and those with an interest in learning more about south african wine will be able to spend many hours with the book. Terroir and travel is the second edition of the illustrated guide on the wines of south africa. This guide presents the existing wine producing regions in the uncomplicated wine pockets system. Mar 11, 2019 10 top south african wines worth seeking out on a recent trip to the winelands of south africa, georgie hindle visited many of the top wineries the region has to offer.

The conventional wisdom classifies south africa as part of the new world based mainly on geography. Styles vary of course, and our notes aim to clarify this, but you will probably already know whether you like sauvignon blanc now among the worlds best, chardonnay, riesling, syrah, pinot noir, or cabernet. The essential guide to south african wines a musthave guide to south african wines addressing the important aspect of terroir and winetourism. Five great avantgarde wines that show you the new south africa heres the introduction. The essential guide to south african wines is a new book that addresses two. A whiff of controversy and south african wines the new york. But more importantly, they make wines with character and personality. Wines of south africa wosa is a notforprofit industry organisation which promotes the exports of all south african wine in key international markets. A few months ago, she tasted a whole slew of supposedly topnotch marlborough sauvignons from new zealand. The wines of south africa by james seely 1997, paperback. Today, however, south africa is increasingly responsible for highdemand, highquality winesa blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. These south african wines are ecofriendly, sustainable and real. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes the reader on an informationpacked tour of the region, showing us how and why the unique combination of terroir and climate, together with dramatic improvements in winemaking. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes.

The ultimate guide to south african red wines vintage roots. Sep 27, 20 all about south african wine with map if you love cabernet sauvignon, start looking for south africas hot values. This is gorgeous oldvine carignan from the swartland that wears the pinotesque side of carignan well. Posted on september 29, 20 by don if only tim james had written this book about south african wine two years ago, before we spent many hours researching the producers, appellations, and wine history for. Imagine black pepper, bell pepper rounded out with currant, blackberry and plum. Jun 29, 2009 south african wines are not the only ones she has detected with grievous faults. After the introductory essay on the state of south african wine making, mr. Jun 07, 2017 some would call their wines natural wines. In the 18th century, there was a shortage of proper oak barrels for aging, and terroirs and climates had yet to be matched to the grapes most suited to grow in them. Since then, the south african wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.

A beginners guide to south african wine serious eats. The story of wines of south africa wines of south africa. They contribute to saving and reviving forgotten vine varieties and make some of south africas most. Its mentioned in jane austens sense and sensibility, charles dickens the mystery of edwin drood, and charles baudelaires les fleurs du mal, among other works. South african red wines cabernet sauvignon 30,000 acres 2011 there is a savory complexity to south african cab, which makes it a delightful alternative to the more fruitforward cab values from paso robles or sonoma, california. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes the. James gives a history of south african wine from its beginnings as part of the capetown victualing station in 1652. Some tiptop south african wines wines i scored at least 17 out of 20 with retail prices recommended at the new wave tasting where i was able to taste only a fraction of the wines available. South africas wines come of age the new york times. South african wines are not the only ones she has detected with grievous faults. South africa wine guide 2019 cape winelands one page guide. The inconvenient truth the south african wine industry duration. For the first time in south africa, a team of highly qualified subject experts have collaborated to write a publication simultaneously addressing the most influential factors facing the wine.

During the first democratic elections in 1994, south africa began to reemerge onto the international wine scene. South africa behind the scenes through detective novels and thrillers. The essential guide to south african wines is a new book that addresses two important aspects of our wine industry. Access to international markets led to new investment in the south african wine market. The reasoning and why it matters will take a bit of time to explain. A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Three of the tasted wines come from swartland, a region north of paarl and wellington. The dynamism that has been so evident in the south african wine scene hasnt passed stellenbosch by, however, and some newer producers are making great wines here. Sought after by european aristocrats and a favorite of napoleon bonaparte, the sweet wines of constantia in the cape colony were considered to be among the worlds best during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Oct 28, 2017 but, given that the south african wine industry seems to find itself at a crossroads today, this would seem as good a time as any to take the right road. Wine and the new south africa gives an idea of the state of wine here today after the great breakthrough of 1994, with subheadings. Dec 19, 2019 the finest south african red wines are often lauded for the fact that they seem to elegantly straddle the old world and the new. It began publication as john platters book of south african wines, a slim hardback 19. The striking simonsberg mountain names the ward or area most highly sought after for these reds, but stellenbosch produces a wide range of wine styles, from excellent chenin blancs.

Mar 02, 2017 the first vintage was produced in 1659, and in the coming century south african wine, known as constantia, became one of the most popular fortified wines in europe. Cobra 2014 that even takes place among the south african vineyards. Thanks to the new generation of winemakers, quality has increased dramatically. Some outstanding and much talked about wine producers in south africa at the moment make wine that are different from what you normally would expect from this country. Before the last 10 years south african wines barely crested the bottom of the grocery store shelf.

Wines of south africa wosa is a notforprofit industry organisation which promotes the export of all south african wine in key international markets. Jul 18, 20 south african wine has needed a book like wines of the new south africa for some time. May 23, 2017 south africa has many young and talented winemakers, a new generation of wine rebels. It was too soon to say whether the killing of stefan smit, a prominent white farmer, was a random criminal act or was related to bitter. Wines such as kanonkops paul sauer, meerlusts rubicon and warwicks trilogy are south african icons, produced over many years, and with proven ageing capacity. For visitors to this page unfamiliar with south african wines, the standard reference is platters south african wines. A whiff of controversy and south african wines the new. South africas wineproducing regions are divided by region, district, and ward with the principal regions being breede, river. This is a list of wineries in south africa arranged by wine region. The finest south african red wines are often lauded for the fact that they seem to elegantly straddle the old world and the new. Sought after by european aristocrats and a favorite of napoleon bonaparte, the sweet wines of constantia in the cape colony were considered to be among the.

Jul 18, 20 from the perspective of most american wine drinkers, south african wine was virtually unheard of 15 years ago. The new century of south african poetry edited by michael chapman this anthology is the ultimate overview of south african poetry, reaching from its earliest manifestations in the oral culture of the lands indigenous inhabitants to the complexities of postapartheid verse. Wines of the new south africa by tim james hardcover. But, the wines of south africa is more than just a history and a tour of the countrys wineproducing regions. Be the first to ask a question about wines of the new south africa. Sought after by european aristocrats and a favorite of. There is a lot of new thinking and experimentation, and producers listen closely to what consumers want. The quality of the wines, the skill and enthusiasm of the winemakers and a laissez faire attitude are all contributing to a real sense of excitement that is palpable, especially when theres a number of winemakers in the room. Notably chile and new zealand have also created national wine standards for sustainability that have real substance. It was a brilliant and emotional tasting with an enormous amount of drive, talent, belief, soil and soul under one roof. The result is that wines of the new south africa is as complete a reference on the south african wine scene as youre likely to find, and those with an interest in learning more about south african wine will be able to spend many hours with the book. South africa has many young and talented winemakers, a new generation of wine rebels.

If only tim james had written this book about south african wine two years ago, before we spent many hours researching the producers. South african wine has a history dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced in cape town by its founder jan van riebeeck. In the last twenty years south africas wine industry has gone through a revolution, and today the country is a major producer of quality wines. All natural ferments, no new wood, no enzymes, no filtration nor fining these wines are a pure expression of their vineyard sites. We have tasted wines from two of these young, innovative and ambitious south african wine producers. Try the fmc, is one of the most powerful voices of the south african wine industry. Native ken forrester, known for his fabulous chenin blancs my tip. A few months ago, she tasted a whole slew of supposedly top. This year, south african wines won 5 of 20 gold medals at the international wine and spirits competition, more than any. Wines of the new south africa by tim james overdrive. Here you will find uptodate information on our regions, varieties, terroir and amazing biodiversity, which all make for magic wines from a magical place. Nov 14, 2017 they all hail from south africa, and were in town for the second new wave south africa tasting, organised by importers who represent and celebrate the winemakers and their wines. The ultimate guide to south african red wines vintage. Jan 16, 2016 native ken forrester, known for his fabulous chenin blancs my tip.

South africas labels allow drinkers to better know where their wine came from. I visited only coastal region districts and saw paarl, stellenbosch, cape peninsula, and tygerberg. Production is concentrated around cape town, with major vineyard and production centres at constantia, paarl, stellenbosch and worcester. Last year i spent two weeks in south africa where i visited 14 wineries, tasted at least 75 different labels, and learned some of the history of south african wine. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes the reader on an informationpacked tour of the region, showing us how and why the unique combination of terroir and climate, together with dramatic improvements in winemaking techniques, result in wines that are once again winning accolades. Launched as a standalone company in january 2019 to drive growth in distells premium wine brands, among them the hugely successful nederburg, libertas will now be reintegrated back into the wider business. Nevertheless, the point is that there are vineyards in south africa and north africa, benefiting from the mediterranean climate, no wine to speak of in the rest of this vast continent.